Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(4)

Of course, the line had always been there. I just hadn’t seen it.

I slipped out of bed and closed my bedroom door for privacy before I went into my closet, where I pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweater. There was no way I was meeting Jonah’s father in my pajamas. Just the thought of facing that man sent a chill up my spine.

A meow in the corner caught my attention and I spotted Pumpkin, who was still sitting in the closet where I’d left him. I’d locked him in there when the alarm went off. I picked him up and held him close, stroking his fur as he purred against my shoulder.

Pressure built behind my eyes, but I couldn’t let any tears fall. I kept wondering what my father would do if he were in my position. He most definitely wouldn’t cry, and he wouldn’t hide in his bedroom the way I was tempted to. He’d meet the situation head-on, and he’d listen more than he talked. I always noticed the way he stilled and listened closely the more intense things got.

After I put Pumpkin down, I pulled on my clothes and ran my fingers through my hair. If I had to face Jonah and his father, I didn’t want to look like I’d just rolled out of bed. I needed to appear calm, to seem strong and confident, even though I didn’t feel that way at all.

When I glanced in the mirror, I hardly recognized the girl staring back at me. She looked like she was struggling, as if she could cry at the drop of a hat.

Briefly, I closed my eyes and stood there as I thought about my mother, silently asking her for help. I missed her so much in this moment that I ached with it. She was so strong, and I needed that strength now more than I ever had before.

There was no answer, though. There never was, but thinking about her had slowed my racing pulse. After a few deep breaths, I worked up my courage and pulled open my bedroom door.

The fact was I was thirsty, and so I decided to get a soda out of the refrigerator like I would do on any other night. As I passed through the hallway, I saw Jonah from the corner of my eye. His hands were still shoved deep in his pockets as he faced the window, looking out at the street. Since it was dark outside and all the lights were on in the living room, I wondered if he could see anything other than his own reflection.

I didn’t stop until I stood in front of the refrigerator, and then pulled it open to reach inside for a cold can of soda. Before I closed the door, I grabbed a second one because I felt like doing the unexpected, offer Jonah a drink as if he were a welcome guest. That was sure to throw him. Would he even take it?

With my nerves thrumming, I walked into the living room. At the sound of my footsteps, Jonah turned and watched my approach. When I reached him, I held out the extra soda can.

“Thanks,” he said, knitting his brows together before slowly taking the can.

I shrugged and popped my drink open before taking a small sip. But he only held his and turned toward the window again. He’d meant it, I supposed, when he told me he wouldn’t say anything more. It was up to me to start a conversation and try to find out what I could.

“So, how much trouble am I in?”

His gaze flicked to mine. “Why would you be in trouble?”

I worked hard not to roll my eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I shot someone?”

He smiled to himself before turning away again. “I told you. You only grazed him. He’s done worse to himself shaving.”

My eyes narrowed. Jonah’s dismissive attitude was meant to be insulting, and it was. As if it was outrageous of me to think I could aim a gun and hit a target. His tone said I might as well have been a kid with a slingshot. Of course, arguing that I’d meant to kill his father—and might have pulled it off if Jonah hadn’t stopped me—probably wasn’t the best idea.

“So, that’s it?” I asked. “He’s not going to tell anyone?”

Jonah sighed and looked at me. “The less said about it, the better.” His lips pressed together at my obvious confusion. “He thinks it was my fault, okay? That you only intended to threaten him, and my stopping you made the gun go off.”

I squinted. “Why would he think that?”

“Because that’s what I told him.” Jonah’s eyes stayed on me, gauging my reaction like he’d done so many times tonight.

My mouth dropped open a little. Why had he told his father that? “What if you’d told him the truth?”

Jonah shrugged. “Then you might be in some trouble.”

I swallowed. He’d lied to protect me? “What I did wasn’t wrong. You didn’t have to lie. He broke into our house and he was going to kill my father. I had the right to stop him.”

His head moved from side to side before I’d even finished. “He wasn’t.”

“He wasn’t what?”

“Going to kill anyone.”

I scowled at his lie. “Yes, he was. I was there, remember?”

“Whose gun do you think it was, Candy?” he demanded. “My father didn’t come here with a weapon.”

My eyes widened. Everything had been so intense, I hadn’t thought about that.

Jonah turned to face me fully. “It’s time to open your eyes, Candy. Your father is a criminal. He’s known for a long time that his freedom was coming to an end. He should have prepared you for this possibility. He shouldn’t have tried to run, and he definitely shouldn’t have tried to take you with him.”